JP6454882B2 - Input operation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to various electronic devices or an input operation device mounted in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle.

  In automobiles, proposals have been made to install various input operation devices in a center cluster in a vehicle interior.

  For example, in the operation input panel unit according to Patent Document 1, a display is installed in the center cluster. Around the display, a plurality of input switches are arranged as input operation devices.

  The conventional input switch has a translucent part that displays the character shape on the switch operation surface, and is configured so that the characters displayed on the translucent part can be easily seen by being illuminated by the LED from the back side. Has been.

JP 2012-001128 A

  One aspect of the input operation device according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, a first light emitting unit disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, a second light emitting unit disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, and a third light emitting disposed on the upper surface of the substrate. Part. Furthermore, it has a 1st light guide which has an upper surface part and a side part, and the 1st mark and the 2nd mark were processed on the lower surface of the upper surface part. Furthermore, it has the 2nd light guide which has an upper surface part and a side part. And the upper end of the side part of the 1st light guide is connected with the upper surface part of the 1st light guide, and the lower end of the side part of the 1st light guide is the 1st light-emitting part and the 2nd light-emitting part. Opposite. In addition, the light that is incident on the first light guide from the first light emitter causes the first mark to emit light on the upper surface of the first light guide, and is incident on the first light guide from the second light emitter. Thus, the second mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide. The light incident on the second light guide from the third light emitter emits light from the upper surface of the second light guide, and at least one of the first light emitter, the second light emitter, and the third light emitter. Can vary the luminance of light emission.

  Another embodiment of the input operation device according to the present disclosure is disposed on the substrate, the first light emitting unit disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, the second light emitting unit disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the upper surface of the substrate. And a third light emitting unit. Furthermore, it has a 1st light guide which has an upper surface part and a side part, and the 1st mark and the 2nd mark were processed on the lower surface of the upper surface part. Furthermore, it has the 2nd light guide which has an upper surface part and a side part. And the upper end of the side part of the 1st light guide is connected with the upper surface part of the 1st light guide, and the lower end of the side part of the 1st light guide is the 1st light-emitting part and the 2nd light-emitting part. Opposite. In addition, the light that is incident on the first light guide from the first light emitter causes the first mark to emit light on the upper surface of the first light guide, and is incident on the first light guide from the second light emitter. Thus, the second mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide. The light incident on the second light guide from the third light emitter emits light from the upper surface of the second light guide, and at least one of the first light guide and the second light guide has gradation. It is processed so that it can emit light.

  According to the present disclosure, the first mark and the second mark can be displayed in the same display area.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a front portion of a vehicle interior equipped with an input operation device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view of the wiring board 30 of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view of the wiring board 30 of the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the third mark is displayed in the display area of the operation knob in the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first mark is displayed in the display area of the operation knob in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second mark is displayed in the display area of the operation knob in the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the light guide and the light emitting unit in the input operation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the light guide and the light emitting unit in the input operation device according to the modification of the embodiment.

  Prior to the description of the input operation device according to the present embodiment, problems of the input device according to Patent Document 1 will be described.

  In the input switch according to Patent Document 1 described above, the shape of the translucent portion is determined in advance by one input switch. For this reason, there was a problem that one input switch had to be set to a single function when illuminated by the LED.

  The input operation device 100 of the present disclosure solves the conventional problems, and is configured to be able to switch and display a plurality of marks for one input operation part.

  An input operation device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a front portion of a vehicle interior equipped with an input operation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the input operation device 100. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the input operation device 100. FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the input operation device 100. 6 and 7 are top views of the wiring board 30 incorporated in the operation knob 110 of the input operation device 100. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the third mark is displayed in the display area of the operation knob 110, FIG. 9 shows a state in which the first mark is displayed, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the second mark is displayed. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an input operation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed on a center console 1 that is disposed between two front seats in a vehicle interior in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  The center console 1 is provided between the center armrest 3 and the instrument panel 5. The inclination of the center console 1 in the vicinity of the center armrest 3 is set to an angle along which the arm naturally follows when a person places the arm on the center armrest 3.

  The center console 1 is provided with an air conditioner operation panel 7 and the like. The instrument panel 5 is provided with a display 9 and various operation switches (not shown) for performing predetermined operations.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input operation device 100 includes a resin case portion 20, an operation knob 110 protruding from the case portion 20, and a press switch portion 120 disposed at each of the left and right positions of the operation knob 110. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the case portion 20 includes an upper case 20 </ b> A, a lower case 20 </ b> B, and a resin-made intermediate case 20 </ b> C. An intermediate case 20 </ b> C is disposed at a substantially intermediate height position of the case portion 20.

  The operation knob 110 has a cylindrical shape and is configured to allow a touch operation to the upper end portion. The operation knob 110 is configured so that a pressing operation is also possible. The operation knob 110 has a portion that can be rotated.

  The operation knob 110 has a circular display area at the upper end. The display area is a touch operation area. Each of the press switch sections 120 is configured to be able to perform a pressing operation.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation knob 110 has a knob structure 25 formed by combining a plurality of resin members so that the outer shape becomes a cylindrical shape. The knob structure 25 may be configured to include other than the resin member. The shape or the like of the resin member constituting the knob structure 25 is arbitrary, and in the following, the detailed description for each resin member will be limited to only necessary portions, and the description of the resin member will be simplified.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the plurality of resin members include a substrate holder 25A, a knob holder 25B, a rotating member holder 25C, a knob top surface 25D, a top surface holder 25E, and a ring-shaped operation member 25F. is there. The substrate holder 25A, knob holder 25B, rotating member holder 25C, knob top surface 25D, and top surface holder 25E are coupled together. Further, a ring-shaped operation member 25F is rotatably mounted on the rotating member holding body 25C. The knob structure 25 is composed of the plurality of resin members. The knob structure 25 has a hollow portion. The knob structure 25 is arranged so that the upper part projects upward from a circular opening provided in the upper case 20A, and is movable downward as a whole.

  Then, by operating the knob structure 25, the light emission state in the light emitting unit 210, the light emitting unit 220, and the light emitting unit 230 is switched. Note that switching of the light emission state in the light emitting unit 210, the light emitting unit 220, and the light emitting unit 230 will be described later. Note that the knob structure 25 is used to control on / off of the switch and to adjust the volume and temperature.

  The operation knob 110 includes a knob structure 25, a wiring board 30, light emitting elements 41 to 44 mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 30, a design plate 50, and light guides 61 to 63. The arrangement of the light emitting elements 41 to 44 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  The wiring substrate 30 is fixed to the upper surface of the substrate holder 25A of the knob structure 25.

  Next, the arrangement of the light emitting elements 41 to 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  The light emitting element 44 is mounted at the center position of the wiring board 30, and the light emitting unit 240 is configured by one light emitting element 44.

  The light emitting unit 210 is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. In FIG. 7, the alternate long and short dash line indicating the light emitting unit 210 and the reference numeral 210 are not shown. The light emitting unit 210 includes five light emitting elements 41, and is formed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30 in an arc shape centering on the light emitting unit 240. That is, a plurality of light emitting elements 41 are arranged and mounted on the wiring substrate 30 in a circular ring-shaped predetermined angle range (for example, a range of 60 degrees) with the light emitting portion 240 as the center.

  Similar to the light emitting unit 210, the light emitting unit 220 is also indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the alternate long and short dash line indicating the light emitting unit 220 and the reference numeral 220 are not shown. The light emitting unit 220 includes five light emitting elements 42, and is formed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30 in an arc shape centering on the light emitting unit 240. That is, the plurality of light emitting elements 42 are arranged and mounted on the wiring board 30 in a circular ring-shaped predetermined angle range (for example, a range of 60 degrees) with the light emitting portion 240 as the center.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 220 are provided in a point-symmetric positional relationship with the light emitting unit 240 as the center, but are not necessarily in a point-symmetrical positional relationship.

  The light emitting unit 230 is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The light emitting unit 230 is formed in a concentric circular ring shape at the outer peripheral positions of the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 220. That is, the plurality of light emitting elements 43 are arranged at equal intervals in the light emitting unit 230. In the present embodiment, six light emitting elements 43 are arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the circular wiring substrate 30 so as to form a ring at intervals of 60 degrees, and the light emitting unit 230 is formed. The arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements 43 does not necessarily need to be at an interval of 60 degrees, and does not necessarily have to be at an equal interval.

  The wiring board 30 having the light emitting units 210, 220, 230, and 240 is incorporated in the knob structure 25. In addition, light guides 61 to 63 are disposed above the wiring board 30 (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

  Here, the positional relationship between the light guide 61, the light guide 62, the light emitting element 41, the light emitting element 42, and the light emitting element 43 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the light guide and the light emitting element.

  In the input operation device according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, the light emitting element 41 and the light emitting element 42 are not originally disclosed in the same sectional view as the light emitting element 43. However, in order to facilitate understanding of the positional relationship between the upper and lower sides, the light emitting element 41, the light emitting element 42, and the light emitting element 43 are simultaneously illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. Therefore, for example, consistency between FIG. 6 and FIG. 11 is not achieved. The light emitting element 44 is not shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the light guide 61 has an upper surface portion 61A and a side surface portion 61B. The upper end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is connected to the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61. The light guide 62 has an upper surface portion 62A and a side surface portion 62B. The upper end of the side surface portion 62B of the light guide 62 is connected to the upper surface portion 62A of the light guide 62.

  A mark is processed on the lower surface 61 </ b> C of the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61. Another mark is processed on the lower surface 62C of the upper surface portion 62A of the light guide 62. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the lower surface 61C of the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61 is processed so that two types of marks can emit light, and the upper surface portion of the light guide 62 The lower surface 62C of 62A is processed so as to emit light having gradation.

  Light emitting elements 41, 42, 43 (light emitting units 210, 220, 230) are arranged on the upper surface of the wiring board 30. Then, one lower end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is opposed to the light emitting element 41, and the other lower end is opposed to the light emitting element. The light guide 61 guides light from the light emitting element 41 (light emitting unit 210) and the light emitting element 42 (light emitting unit 220).

  In the present embodiment, the side portions 61B and 62B are cylindrical. However, the side surface portion 61B and the upper surface portion 61A only need to be connected, and the side surface portion 61B does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape. Similarly, the side surface portion 62B and the upper surface portion 62A may be connected, and the side surface portion 62B does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape.

  Next, the remaining configuration of the input operation device will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the light guide 61, the light guide 62, the light emitting element 41, the light emitting element 42, and the light emitting element 43 have been described in detail above, the same reference numerals are given here and description thereof is omitted.

  The light guide 63 is placed on the central position of the wiring board 30. A light emitting element 44 (light emitting unit 240) is disposed below the light guide 63. The light emitting element 44 is disposed on the upper surface of the wiring board 30. The light guide 63 guides light from the light emitting element 44 (light emitting unit 240).

  The light guide 63 has a bowl-shaped outer periphery. The flange-like outer peripheral portion of the light guide 63 is pressed from above at the lower end of the light-shielding tubular body 70 and is sandwiched between the tubular body 70 and the tubular wiring board 30. With this configuration, the light guide 63 is positioned.

  The cylindrical body 70 is configured in a cylindrical shape by combining three resin members stacked vertically. The cylindrical body 70 is formed of a color material that does not emit light from the light emitting unit 240 to the outside of the cylinder. Alternatively, a configuration in which the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape are colored and shielded from light may be used. The light guide 63 has a planar portion disposed above the light emitting portion 240 in a region surrounded by the cylindrical body 70.

[Light emission of input control device]
Next, light emission in the input operation device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS.

<Light emission of light guide 63>
The planar part of the light guide 63 transmits the light of the light emitting part 240 incident from the lower surface. The shape of the light guide 63 is set so as to emit light extending from the upper surface side of the light guide 63 into the cylindrical body 70. The light transmitted through the planar portion of the light guide 63 reaches the upper portion of the cylindrical body 70 while being reflected in the cylindrical body 70. The design plate 50 mounted on the top surface of the cylindrical body 70 is illuminated with this light. A character string “PUSH DRIVE MODE (hereinafter referred to as mark 330)” is formed in the translucent portion of the design plate 50.

  The design plate 50 is attached to the top member of the cylindrical body 70. The top member of the cylindrical body 70 is made of a light transmissive material. Although details will be described later, a touch sensor 75 and a knob top surface 25D are disposed above the top surface member of the cylindrical body 70. The touch sensor 75 and the knob top surface 25D are also light-transmissive.

  When characters or the like formed on the translucent portion of the design plate 50 are illuminated, a mark 330 is illuminated and displayed in the display area on the upper surface of the operation knob 110 as shown in FIG.

  Inside the knob structure 25 and outside the cylindrical body 70, a light guide body 61 formed of an acrylic plate having a uniform thickness is disposed. The light guide 61 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 70, and has a shape in which the upper portion of the side surface portion 61B is closed by the upper surface portion 61A.

  When light enters the plate thickness from the end face position or the like, the light guide 61 guides the incident light while reflecting the light within the plate thickness.

  The lower end surface of the light guide 61 faces the light emitting unit 210 (light emitting element 41) and the light emitting unit 220 (light emitting element 42) in the vertical direction. That is, in the input operation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the light incident part from the light emitting part 210 and the light emitting part 220 to the light guide 61 is set below the lower end surface of the light guide 61. Note that the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape, and may be any shape as long as the light emitting portion 210 and the light emitting portion 220 are opposed to each other.

  The light guide 61 guides light incident from the lower end surface within the plate thickness and guides it to the upper surface portion 61A. The upper surface portion 61A is processed to reflect and scatter the guided light upward at a predetermined mark. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the predetermined mark that emits light from the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61 is the mark 310 (see FIG. 9) or the mark 320 (see FIG. 10).

  In the light guide 61, when the light incident from the light emitting unit 210 is reflected and scattered, the mark 310 shown in FIG. 9 is emitted upward from the upper surface portion 61A. On the other hand, when the light incident from the light emitting part 220 is reflected and scattered, the mark 320 shown in FIG.

  In the input operation device 100 according to the present embodiment, in the light guide 61, at least a part of the region where the mark 310 is formed overlaps the region where the mark 320 is formed. In general, the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 220 are controlled not to be lit simultaneously.

  In addition, since the light from the light emitting element 44 (light emitting part 240) is blocked by the cylindrical body 70, it does not reach the side surface part 61B of the light guide 61. However, light emitted from the light emitting element 44 that passes through the design plate and emits light upward reaches the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61. However, since the light emitted upward passes through the upper surface portion 61A, it does not affect the light emission of the mark 310 and the mark 320 of the light guide 61.

  A light guide 62 made of an acrylic plate having a uniform thickness is disposed inside the knob structure 25 and outside the light guide 61. That is, the light guide 62 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter that is slightly higher than the light guide 61 and larger than the outer diameter of the light guide 61. The upper portion of the side surface portion 62B of the light guide 62 is closed by the upper surface portion 62A. The lower end has a circular ring shape, and the position of the lower end of the side surface portion 61B is aligned at the same height.

  Similar to the light guide 61, the light guide 62 guides light incident on the plate thickness from the end face position or the like while reflecting the light within the plate thickness.

  The lower end surface of the circular ring shape of the light guide 62 faces the light emitting unit 230 (light emitting element 43) in the vertical direction. That is, in the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment, the light incident portion from the light emitting portion 230 to the light guide 62 is set below the lower end surface of the light guide 62. Note that the side surface portion 62B of the light guide 62 does not necessarily have a cylindrical shape, and may be at least a shape facing the light emitting portion 230.

  In the light guide 62, the light incident from the lower end surface is incident on the plate thickness and guided to the upper surface portion 62A. The upper surface portion 62A is processed to reflect and scatter the guided light upward.

  In the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment, the light reflection / scattering state is concentric and processed so that the degree of reflection / scattering decreases toward the center. That is, the surface of the light guide 62 is processed so as to realize gradation light emission. Note that the process of reducing the degree of reflection / scattering toward the center is an example, and various gradations are conceivable.

  Furthermore, gradation light emission is not necessarily performed. Light with a certain luminance may be emitted.

  Note that the lower end surface of the light guide 61 and the lower end surface of the light guide 62 are both disposed on the side protrusions provided on the periphery of the cylindrical body 70. And it opposes the corresponding light emission part 210, the light emission part 220, and the light emission part 230 through the through-hole provided in the side protrusion part. The side protrusions are provided with a partition to prevent light from the light emitting unit 210 and the light from the light emitting unit 220 or the light emitting unit 230 from being mixed.

  The knob top surface 25 </ b> D of the knob structure 25 is located above the upper surface portion 62 </ b> A of the light guide 62. The top surface holding body 25E holds the periphery of the knob top surface 25D and is fixed to the rotating member holding body 25C. A touch sensor 75 is fixed to the lower surface of the knob top surface 25D by adhesion or the like. The knob top surface 25D and the touch sensor 75 are transparent.

  The touch sensor 75 is connected to a sensor control unit (not shown). When the upper surface of the knob top surface 25D is touched with a finger or the like, the sensor control unit detects the operated position.

  The knob structure 25 is incorporated in the case portion 20 so as to be able to be pushed down.

  A self-returning type switch 81 is disposed below the knob structure 25. When the knob structure 25 is pushed down, the state of the switch 81 is switched.

  The switch 81 is mounted on a wiring board 90 that is sandwiched between the intermediate case 20C and the lower case 20B.

  The wiring board 90 is provided with an illumination control unit (not shown) for controlling the above-described sensor control unit and the on / off states of the first light emitting unit 210 to the fourth light emitting unit 240. In addition, the wiring board 90 is also configured with a rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation state of the ring-shaped operation member 25F. These may be provided other than the wiring board 90.

  Further, a self-return type switch 82 is arranged on the wiring board 90. Each of the switches 82 is operated to switch the state when the button member 120A of the corresponding pressing switch 120 is pressed down.

  As described above, the input operation device 100 is configured.

[Example of change in light emission state of input operation device 100]
Next, an example of a change in the light emission state of the input operation device 100 will be described.

<First state (normal state)>
As shown in FIG. 8, the input operation device 100 is visible in the first state by being illuminated with a mark 330 within the display area at the upper end position of the operation knob 110. The first state is generally called “normal state”. In the first state, only the light emitting unit 240 emits light, and the light emitting units 210, 220, and 230 are off. That is, the light guide 63 emits light extending from the upper surface side of the light guide 63 into the cylindrical body 70. This light reaches the upper part of the cylindrical body 70 while being reflected in the cylindrical body 70. The design plate 50 mounted on the top surface of the cylindrical body 70 is illuminated with this light, and a mark 330 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the display area on the upper surface of the operation knob 110.

<Second state (state where mark shown in FIG. 9 is displayed)>
In the first state, when a predetermined operation is performed, for example, a mode for using navigation is set, a pointer for indicating a map, a current location, etc. is displayed on the display 9 (see a mark 310 shown in FIG. 9). ) Etc. are displayed. At this time, the pointer on the map is switched to a movable state by the operation of the operation knob 110. This state is referred to as a second state in the present embodiment.

  In the second state, the light emitting unit 220 and the light emitting unit 240 are controlled to be turned off and the light emitting unit 210 is turned on. The control state for turning on and off the light emitting unit 230 will be described later.

  In the second state, the mark 310 shown in FIG. 9 is illuminated in the display area set at the upper end of the operation knob 110. That is, light from the light emitting unit 210 is incident on the light guide 61 and the light reaches the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61. Then, the mark 310 processed on the lower surface 61C of the upper surface portion 61A emits light, and the mark 310 is illuminated in the display area of the input operation part.

  Further, the mark 310 is illuminated in the display area of the input operation part, and at the same time, the pointer displayed on the display 9 is controlled to be movable in response to a touch operation on the upper end of the operation knob 110. That is, the touch sensor 75 is detected, and the pointer displayed on the display 9 is controlled. That is, the pointer on the map displayed on the display 9 moves in the corresponding direction according to the locus of the touch operation at the upper end of the operation knob 110. Further, when the operation knob 110 is depressed, the map in the display 9 is enlarged and displayed with the point indicated by the pointer as the center by the switch signal output when the state of the switch 81 is switched. The display 9 is controlled. Note that the above-described change in the display content of the display 9 by the predetermined operation is an example for explaining the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment, and is not limited to this.

<Third state (state where mark shown in FIG. 10 is displayed)>
In the third state, a predetermined operation is performed. For example, when the input operation device 100 is set to the handwriting input mode, the display 9 is controlled to display characters input by handwriting on the input operation device 100. The This state is referred to as a third state in the present embodiment.

  In the third state, the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 240 are controlled to be turned off and the light emitting unit 220 is turned on. The control state for turning on and off the light emitting unit 230 will be described later.

  In the third state, the mark 320 shown in FIG. 10 is illuminated in the display area set at the upper end of the operation knob 110. That is, the light from the light emitting unit 220 enters the light guide 61, and the light reaches the upper surface portion 61A. Then, the mark 320 processed on the lower surface 61C of the upper surface portion 61A emits light, and the mark 320 is illuminated in the display area of the input operation part. It should be noted that the same operation state is obtained when the state transitions from the first state to the third state and when the state transitions from the second state to the third state.

  Further, the mark 320 is illuminated in the display area of the input operation part, and at the same time, the touch operation locus with respect to the upper end position of the operation knob 110 is controlled to be detected via the touch sensor 75. That is, a handwritten character or the like on the upper end portion of the operation knob 110 is displayed on the display 9. The operation knob 110 is pushed down, and the character is determined by a switch signal from the switch 81.

  As described above, the input operation device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured so that any one of the marks 310, 320, and 330 can be illuminated in the display area of the operation knob 110 so as to be visible.

  In addition, regarding the illumination of the mark 310 and the mark 320, the mark 310 and the mark 320 are switched on the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61 to emit light. With this configuration, it is possible to illuminate two marks with a single light guide 61, the number of parts can be reduced, and the production process can be simplified.

<Operation of Light Guide 62 and Light Emitting Unit 230>
The input operation device 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a light emitting unit 230 and a light guide 62. The light emitting unit 230 can be turned on in conjunction with the illumination of the light guide 61 in the first state to the third state described above.

  That is, when the light emitting unit 230 (the plurality of light emitting elements 43) is turned on, the light from the light emitting unit 230 enters the light guide 62 from the lower end surface. The light reaches the upper surface portion 62A of the light guide 62, and the upper surface portion 62A emits light. The lower surface 62C of the upper surface portion 62A of the light guide 62 is concentrically formed and processed so that the degree of light reflection / scattering decreases toward the inside. For this reason, the light emission state of the second upper surface portion 62A emits light in a surface light emission state with a concentric circular ring shape and a gradation in which the luminance on the center side decreases. In other words, in the display area of the operation knob 110, the illumination state is provided with gradation.

  When the light emitting unit 230 is turned on while the mark 310 (or the mark 320 or the mark 330) is illuminated, the mark 310 (or the mark 320) is displayed in the illuminated state with gradation in the display area of the operation knob 110. , Mark 330) becomes visible.

  Further, when the current and voltage applied to the plurality of light emitting elements 43 are changed, the intensity of gradation illumination can be increased. In the present embodiment, the lower surface 62C of the light guide 62 is processed so as to be capable of emitting light with gradation, but is not necessarily processed so as to be capable of emitting light with gradation, and has a constant luminance. It may be processed so that it can emit light.

  In a configuration in which gradation processing is not performed, the luminance of monotonous light emitted from the light guide 62 can be varied by changing the current and voltage applied to the plurality of light emitting elements 43. Even when the gradation is processed, the luminance may be varied.

  Alternatively, the illumination state other than gradation can be changed by switching on and off the light emitting elements 43 in a predetermined order.

  The push switch portions 120 provided on the left and right of the operation knob 110 may be assigned to, for example, a home key or a return key for returning to the first state.

  As can be seen from the above description, the operation knob 110 can be used in correspondence with a plurality of operation states. In the same display area of the operation knob 110, characters or the like corresponding to each operation function are switched and illuminated. In particular, the operation knob 110 of the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment can illuminate two marks (the mark 310 and the mark 320) using only one light guide 61. For this reason, the operation knob 110 can be reduced in size and weight.

  It is possible to set the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment described above as follows.

  It is possible to emit surface light while varying the luminance from the light guide 62 at the same time as emitting either the mark 310 or the mark 320 from the light guide 61.

  That is, in the input operation device according to the present embodiment, the wiring substrate 30, the light emitting unit 210 disposed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30, the light emitting unit 220 disposed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30, and the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30. And a light emitting unit 230 disposed on the surface. Furthermore, the light guide 61 has an upper surface portion 61A and a side surface portion 61B, and a first mark (for example, mark 310) and a second mark (for example, 320) are processed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 61A. Furthermore, it has the light guide 62 which has the upper surface part 62A and the side part 62B. The upper end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is connected to the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61, and the lower end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is the light emitting portion 210 (light emitting element 41) and the light emitting portion 220. It faces the (light emitting element 42). Then, the first mark (for example, the mark 310) is emitted from the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 by the light incident on the light guide 61 from the light emitting portion 210. Then, the second mark (for example, the mark 320) is emitted from the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 by light incident on the light guide 61 from the light emitting portion 220 (light emitting element 42). Furthermore, the upper surface portion 62 </ b> A of the light guide 62 emits light by light incident on the light guide 62 from the light emitting unit 230 (light emitting element 43). And at least any one among the light emission part 210, the light emission part 220, and the light emission part 230 can vary the brightness | luminance which light-emits.

  With the configuration described above, for example, it is possible to realize an input operation device in which the mark 310 is used as a volume display mark, and the volume and the luminance emitted from the light guide 62 are associated with each other so that the volume can be visually grasped. It becomes possible.

  In addition, for example, by using the mark 320 as a mark during operation of the air conditioner, it is possible to realize an input operation device that allows the set temperature and the luminance emitted by the light guide 62 to correspond to each other so that the set temperature can be visually grasped. It becomes possible.

  As described above, it is possible to make the operation of the input operation device easier to understand visually by combining the mark display and the luminance.

  It is also possible to set the input operation device 100 of the present embodiment described above as follows.

  It is possible to emit light having gradation from the light guide 62 at the same time that either the mark 310 or the mark 320 is emitted from the light guide 61.

  That is, in the input operation device according to the present embodiment, the wiring substrate 30, the light emitting unit 210 disposed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30, the light emitting unit 220 disposed on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30, and the upper surface of the wiring substrate 30. And a light emitting unit 230 disposed on the surface. Furthermore, the light guide 61 has an upper surface portion 61A and a side surface portion 61B, and a first mark (for example, mark 310) and a second mark (for example, 320) are processed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion 61A. Furthermore, it has the light guide 62 which has the upper surface part 62A and the side part 62B. The upper end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is connected to the upper surface portion 61A of the light guide 61, and the lower end of the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 is the light emitting portion 210 (light emitting element 41) and the light emitting portion 220. It faces the (light emitting element 42). Then, the first mark (for example, the mark 310) is emitted from the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 by the light incident on the light guide 61 from the light emitting portion 210. Then, the second mark (for example, the mark 320) is emitted from the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 by light incident on the light guide 61 from the light emitting portion 220 (light emitting element 42). At least one of the light guide 61 and the light guide 62 is processed so as to emit light having gradation.

  With the configuration described above, it is possible to realize a function of visually grasping the operation state by superimposing the gradation display and the mark in the same manner as changing the luminance. Specifically, for example, the mark 320 is used as a mark indicating that the air conditioner is operating, and if the temperature in the passenger compartment reaches a set temperature, light emission having gradation is performed. Thereby, the passenger can know the temperature state in the passenger compartment only by visually recognizing the gradation light emission state.

  In the input operation device 100 described above, the side surface portion 61B of the light guide 61 and the side surface portion 62B of the light guide 62 are cylindrical. However, it is not necessarily a cylinder.

  That is, the side surface portion of the light guide 61 is not necessarily a cylinder, and may have at least two side surface portions (hereinafter referred to as a first side surface portion and a second side surface portion). The upper end of the first side surface is connected to the upper surface 61A of the light guide 61, the lower end of the first side is opposed to the light emitting unit 210, and the upper end of the second side is the light guide 61. The lower surface portion of the second side surface portion only needs to face the light emitting portion 220.

  In the present embodiment, the side surface portion of the light guide 61 is cylindrical, that is, the first side surface portion and the second side surface portion are integrally formed.

  In the input operation device 100 described above, the mark 310 and the mark 320 that can emit light with a certain luminance are processed on the light guide 61, and the light guide 62 is processed so that surface emission with gradation can be performed.

  That is, either the light guide 61 or the light guide 62 has a first light emitting region that is processed so as to emit light having gradation, and either the light guide 61 or the light guide 62 is It has the 2nd light emission area processed so that light emission with fixed brightness may be carried out. The first light emitting region and the second light emitting region are different regions.

  More preferably, the second light emitting region processed so as to emit light with a constant luminance as in the present embodiment is formed in the light guide 61, and the second light emitting region (light guide) At least one of the first mark (mark 310) and the second mark (mark 320) is processed on a part of the lower surface of 61.

  In addition, although the input operation device 100 described above includes the light emitting unit 240 and the light guide 63 corresponding to the light emitting unit 240, the light emitting unit 240 and the light guide 63 are not necessarily required. Further, the light emitting unit 230 and the light guide 62 corresponding to the light emitting unit 230 may be omitted. If at least the light guide 61, the light emitting unit 210, and the light emitting unit 220 are provided, a plurality of marks can be switched and displayed for one input operation site.

  In the present embodiment described above, the mark 310 and the mark 320 are formed on the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the same light guide 61. However, the mark 310 and the mark 320 are not necessarily formed on the upper surface portion 61A. As long as the mark 310 and the mark 320 can be switched and displayed in the same display area, the area in which the mark 310 and the mark 320 are formed is not limited.

  The region where the light guide 62 is illuminated may be set so that the light guide 61 overlaps the region where the mark 310 or the mark 320 is displayed.

  The outer shape and the like of the light guide 61 and the light guide 62 may be set as appropriate. The outer shape of the light guide 61 and the light guide 62 is not limited to the shape of the present embodiment. The light emitting units 210, 220, and 230 may be arranged according to the outer shape of the light guide 61 and the light guide 62. The arrangement of the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 220 is preferably configured in the above-described point-symmetrical positional relationship, but may be other than this.

(Modification of the embodiment)
Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 11, the upper surface portion 62 </ b> A of the light guide 62 is located above the light guide 61. On the other hand, in the modification of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 is positioned above the light guide 62. Furthermore, the arrangement of the light emitting units 210, 220, and 230 is performed so that the end surface of the light guide 61 faces the light emitting unit 210 and the light emitting unit 220, and the end surface of the light guide 62 faces the light emitting unit 230. It has been changed from the form.

  Since other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  In the configuration of FIG. 11, the light guide 62 for gradation or brightness change is arranged below the light guide 61 for mark display, so that gradation emission and brightness change are marked compared to the arrangement shown in FIG. Visibility can be further improved without disturbing the light emission.

  That is, in the modification of the present embodiment, for example, the light emitting region processed so as to emit light having gradation is formed in the light guide 62 and processed so that light can be emitted with a constant luminance. The second light emitting region (for example, the region where the mark 310 or the mark 320 is processed) is formed in the light guide 61, and the upper surface portion 61 </ b> A of the light guide 61 is disposed above the second light guide 62. ing.

  With this configuration, when the mark 310 or the mark 320 and the light emission having gradation are superimposed and displayed, the mark can be displayed more clearly than the arrangement shown in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment and the modified example of the embodiment, the detailed configuration of the operation knob 110 is not limited to the above configuration. The present disclosure may be applied to other than the operation knob 110. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to an input operation part of various electronic devices even in a case other than an automobile.

  The input operation device according to the present disclosure can switch and display the mark on the same display area of the input operation part. It is useful mainly when mounted in various electronic devices and vehicle cabins.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Center console 3 Center armrest 5 Instrument panel 7 Air-conditioner operation panel 9 Display 20 Case part 20A Upper case 20B Lower case 20C Intermediate case 25 Knob structure 25A Substrate holder 25B Knob holder 25C Rotating member holder 25D Knob top 25E Top surface holder 25F Ring-shaped operation member 30, 90 Wiring board 41, 42, 43, 44 Light emitting element 50 Design plate 61, 62, 63 Light guide 61A, 62A Upper surface portion 61B, 62B Side surface portion 61C, 62C Lower surface 70 Cylinder Shape 75 Touch sensor 81, 82 Switch 100 Input operation device 110 Operation knob 120 Press switch part 120A Button member 210, 220, 230, 240 Light emitting part 310, 320, 330 Mark

Claims (8)

A substrate,
A first light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A second light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A third light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A first light guide having an upper surface portion and a side surface portion, the first mark and the second mark being processed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion;
A second light guide having an upper surface portion and a side surface portion;
With
The upper end of the side part of the first light guide is connected to the upper surface part of the first light guide, and the lower end of the side part of the first light guide is the first light emitting part and Facing the second light emitting part,
The first mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide by light incident on the first light guide from the first light emitter,
The second mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide by light incident on the first light guide from the second light emitter,
The light incident on the second light guide from the third light emitter emits light from the upper surface of the second light guide,
At least one of the first light-emitting unit, the second light-emitting unit, and the third light-emitting unit is an input operation device that can vary the luminance of light emission. A substrate,
A first light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A second light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A third light emitting unit disposed on an upper surface of the substrate;
A first light guide having an upper surface portion and a side surface portion, the first mark and the second mark being processed on the lower surface of the upper surface portion;
A second light guide having an upper surface portion and a side surface portion;
With
The upper end of the side part of the first light guide is connected to the upper surface part of the first light guide, and the lower end of the side part of the first light guide is the first light emitting part and Facing the second light emitting part,
The first mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide by light incident on the first light guide from the first light emitter,
The second mark emits light on the upper surface portion of the first light guide by light incident on the first light guide from the second light emitter,
The light incident on the second light guide from the third light emitter emits light on the upper surface of the second light guide,
At least one of the first light guide and the second light guide is an input operation device that is processed so as to emit light having gradation. The side part of the first light guide has a first side part and a second side part,
The upper end of the first side surface portion is connected to the upper surface portion of the first light guide, and the lower end of the first side surface portion is opposed to the first light emitting portion,
The upper end of the second side surface portion is connected to the upper surface portion of the first light guide, and the lower end of the second side surface portion faces the second light emitting portion. The input operation device described. Either the first light guide or the second light guide has a first light emitting region that is processed so as to emit light having gradation,
One of the first light guide body or the second light guide body has a second light emitting region,
The second light emitting region is processed into either the first light guide or the second light guide so that light can be emitted with monotonous luminance.
The input operation device according to claim 2 , wherein the first light emitting area and the second light emitting area are different areas. Before Stories second light-emitting region is formed on the first light guide,
The input operation device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first mark and the second mark is processed in the second light emitting region. The first light emitting region processed to emit light having gradation is formed in the second light guide,
Before Stories second light-emitting region is formed on the first light guide,
The input operation device according to claim 4, wherein the upper surface portion of the first light guide is disposed above the second light guide. Further provided with a knob structure capable of performing an input operation,
By operating the knob structure,
The input operation device according to claim 1, wherein the light emission state of the first light emitting unit, the second light emitting unit, and the third light emitting unit is switched.   The area | region in which the said 1st mark is formed in the said 1st light guide and the area | region in which the said 2nd mark is formed at least one part has overlapped. Input operation device.

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